San Luis Obispo County Airport (SBP) and ForeFront Power commemorated Earth Day with a Solar Ribbon Cutting & Sustainability Showcase at SBP Airport. The event brought together elected officials, airport and County staff, project partners, and community members to celebrate the Airport’s new on-site 907-kW DC solar parking canopy system, and to learn how the project and the broader Sustainability & Decarbonization Plan are reshaping airport operations.
SBP’s newly energized solar installation, located on the top level of Parking Lot 4 next to Highway 277, is expected to generate over 1.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, which is enough to power the annual electricity use of nearly 270 homes. This clean, renewable energy will offset all of the Airport’s electricity consumption, including expected increases from the future electrification of its fleet, and is projected to save the Airport nearly $6 million in energy costs over the life of the project.
“As a gateway to California’s Central Coast, it’s our duty to our passengers, our staff, and the natural beauty of our surrounding environment to lead the region’s transition to clean energy,” said Annie Secrest, Sustainability Manager at SLO County Airport. “This project is the backbone of our Sustainability & Decarbonization Plan, advancing our goals to reduce emissions and strengthen energy resilience so SBP remains a modern, future-ready airport providing safe, reliable air service to travelers across the country.”
Developed, owned, and operated by ForeFront Power, the project was delivered at no upfront cost to the Airport through a power purchase agreement (PPA). Under the terms of the agreement, SBP will purchase the clean electricity generated on site at a fixed rate that is lower than the utility price for electricity. ForeFront Power’s rate is fixed for the life of the contract, providing the Airport with budget certainty while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The Airport’s behind-the-meter solar portfolio was constructed by local union labor, creating six local jobs and more than 4,250 union work hours. In addition to supporting the regional economy during development, the solar project enhances the SBP passenger experience by providing shaded parking and serving as a visible educational opportunity for travelers and community members, highlighting how local public facilities are transitioning to cleaner, more resilient energy.
“There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by turning a sustainability plan into a real, operating project,” said Sam Zantzinger, Commercial Director at ForeFront Power. “Our team will be by SLO County Airport’s side throughout the lifetime of the system, maintaining the solar array, optimizing performance, and ensuring the airport continues to realize environmental and financial benefits while advancing its sustainability goals.”
SLO County Airport pursued this solar project as the first in a series of initiatives under its Sustainability & Decarbonization Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across airport operations, including buildings and vehicle fleets. As a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge and the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, SBP has committed to reducing Scope 2 emissions from facility operations by at least 50% by 2033. Completion of this project marks a significant step toward that goal and puts the Airport on track to achieve a 100% renewable energy offset by 2030.
About SLO County Airport (SBP)
The SLO County Airport (SBP) is a vital transportation gateway serving California’s Central Coast region. With its modern facilities and convenient location, the airport offers a range of domestic flights, connecting passengers to major cities across the United States. SBP serves areas as far north as Southern Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, and as far south as Northern Santa Barbara County. SBP is committed to providing safe, efficient, and customer-focused air travel services to its passengers while supporting the economic growth and development of the region. SBP is also home to full-service general aviation and corporate facilities. To stay informed please visit www.sloairport.com or get social with SBP on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SLOCountyAirport) or Instagram (@Sloairport).
About ForeFront Power
ForeFront Power is a leading provider of energy solutions and advisory services. This includes commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as fleet electrification and asset management services. With over 15 years of experience, the ForeFront Power team has developed more than 1,900 behind-the-meter and community solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC of renewable electricity. In addition to project development and asset management, ForeFront Power provides strategic advisory services that help organizations navigate complex energy decisions—from sustainability and procurement planning to renewable project implementation. The company serves a wide array of business, government, education, healthcare, and community solar customers from its San Francisco headquarters and through teams based in New York, Mexico City, and across the U.S. For additional information, please visit www.forefrontpower.com.
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